2014 NHSI: Huntsville Blanks Roberson As Whitt Davis Stars

CARY, N.C.—Whitt Davis knew he had a no-hitter when he gave up a seventh-inning single that ended the bid.

He also knew that by throwing a complete-game one-hitter, propelling Huntsville (Ala.) High to a first-round win in the National High School Invitational against T.C. Roberson High (Asheville, N.C.), he had more than done his job.

“Whitt has made five starts now, and all five have been quality,” Huntsville coach David Sharp said of Davis, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound junior. “He throws the fastball, two different breaking balls and a pretty good changeup, though he didn’t throw it much today. He threw strikes with the breaking ball and was really good today. He’s been close to dominant so far this season.”

Whitt Davis (Photo by Alyson Boyer Rode)

Davis isn’t committed to a college, though he’s got an offer from Lipscomb and has had interest from several other Division I schools. His fastball sat at 85-88 mph Wednesday in the cold and brisk conditions, touching 90 mph twice on USA Baseball’s radar gun. His two breaking balls, a curveball and a sweepy slider, ranged anywhere from 69-74 mph and both were effective, especially in helping him escape a bases-loaded, first-inning jam.

Davis said he struggled to locate his fastball in the first, “probably because of nerves,” but threw the curve for strikes after walking the bases full.

“In the second inning, I was able to find my groove,” he said. “I was able to settle in after that, and I’m glad I was able to finish the game for my team.”

Huntsville scored three runs in the first to take control, with Davis driving in the first run. A two-out error on a routine play put runners at first and second, and Davis blooped a single to left to plate the first run. A walk loaded the bases, and third baseman Cameron Aaron blooped a two-run single to center for a 3-0 lead.

Eli Reynolds and Aaron had sacrifice flies in the third and fifth as Huntsville extended its lead, with Aaron finishing with three RBIs while Davis had two hits to lead Huntsville’s offense.

Roberson star Braxton Davidson, a North Carolina commit who played center field and first base, went 0-for-1 with two walks, flying out to left on a 3-1 pitch (an 87 mph fastball) and swinging at only one other pitch, fouling off another 87 mph heater.

“All the credit goes to their pitcher,” Roberson coach Eric Filipek said. “He was a little tight in the first, but once he got out of it, he ran with it, and we couldn’t upset his rhythm.”